City officials are debating what can be done to stop transportation service Uber from operating illegally within the city of Oxford.
Uber, introduced to Oxford in August, is a ridesharing service that uses a smartphone application to connect passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire. Customers use the app to request rides and track their reserved vehicle’s location. The vehicles driven by Uber drivers are their own personal vehicles instead of taxis.
The fact that Uber is technologically based is not the problem; the problem is that they are operating without a license from the city and outside of the city’s ordinance.
Earlier this year, the taxi ordinance was updated by city officials. The new rules included the display of a taxi medallion that must be issued by the city, giving the option of receipts to customers, fee caps and for the interior of a taxi or limo to be video recorded while it is in service.
Uber officials could not convince Oxford officials earlier this month that their business was operating within the bounds of the city taxi ordinance in addition to its updates.
Police Chief Joey East said, “Several years ago, the city put an ordinance in place to address the issue of ‘vehicles for hire,’ and over the years, that ordinance has evolved and become more defined.”
Any vehicle for hire, as defined by the ordinance, that is in violation of any section of the ordinance is subject to anything from a verbal warning to a custodial arrest. As long as vehicles that are operating as taxis are in compliance with the ordinance, they may operate in the city of Oxford.
Uber drivers now face more pressure if stopped and questioned by the police.
“Our officers are looking for specific clues that would indicate that a person is operating as a taxi and must be able to clearly articulate that on a stop and in their report,” East said. “Customers, or potential customers, could face needing to find another ride if the officer determines that the driver was operating illegally and was being arrested and their vehicle was then consequently towed.”
The Board of Aldermen met this past Thursday to discuss the issue of Uber operating without a license from the city. Ward VI Alderman Jason Bailey did not speak of the meeting, giving no comment on the issue.
While city officials are flustered with the issue at hand, there are some community members who enjoy Uber’s services.
The University of Mississippi senior chemical engineering major Gergö Arany has found Uber’s services to be convenient.
“Everything is electronic,” he said. “I can track where my ride is and set up a pickup location as well as pay through a link with debit or credit. Uber also charges for distance instead of per head, which means a flat rate for as many people, and less money spent.”
